I would suggest taking a smaller bite of fabric when doing either ladder or whip stitches (a couple threads on each piece) and make two stitches at both ends of hexies -- beginning and ending. I use thread matching the darkest color, but you will have to do this on trial and error to see what works best for you. As far as basting my papers I baste through the paper because I can't seem to get the fabric tight enough around the paper if I don't. I use Paper Pieces papers and am able to use them multiple times. Baste the method that works best for you. I also find that if my fabric isn't tight around the paper I take larger bites of the fabric when I'm stitching.